Writing-machine.



No. 679,674. Patented July 30, I90I. E. B. mass & J. n. smu'amon.

WRITING IACHINE.

Application fllod Icy 13, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shoot l.

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3 Sheets-Shem 2.

WRITING IAGHINE.

(Apphution fllld m 13, 1901 (No Ilouel.)

No. 679,674. Patented July 30, l90l.

E. B. HESS & J. M. STOUGHTON.

WRITING MACHINE.

(Application filed Kay 18, 1901.) iNo Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 3.

UNTTEn STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

EDWARD l3. HESS, OF NEW YORK, AND JOSEPH M. STOUGIITON, OF

YONKERS, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNORS TO MECHANICAL IMPROVE- MENTS COMPANY, OFNEYV YORK, N. Y.

WRITING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 679,674, dated July 30,1901.

Application filed May 13,1901. Serial No. 59,948. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, EDWARD B. HESS, a resident of the city and countyof New York, and JOSEPH M. STOUGHTON, a resident of Yonkers, countyofWestchester, State of New York, citizens of the United States, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Writing-lilachincs, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a type-bar-actuatin g mechanism or movementand associated parts of the machine relating to a shifting type-barsupport for upper or lower case printing, a universal-bar organization,and a movable-type-bar guide, all as hereinafter set forth in detail.

In the accompanying drawings so much only of the machine has beenillustrated as seems desirable to disclose the several features of theinvention.

The drawings show a frontstroke machine constructed and organized in i amanner deemed by us to be an efficient and desirable form in which theinvention may be embodied. The invention, however, is applicable whollyor in part to machines other than socalled front-stroke machines and maybe embodied in other forms than the special construction illustrated.

Figure l is a plan view; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal sectiontherethrough on the line 2 2; Fig. 3, a front elevation, partly brokenaway and in section; Fig. 4, a detailed View illustrating thetype-bar-actuating mechanism and the universal bar and the mode ofoperation; Fig. 5, a similer View illustrating the shift mechanism formoving the type-bar guide and the type-bar support relatively to theplaten, and Fig. 6 a detailed vertical sectional view showing the mannerof pivoting the type-bars in their supports.

The type-bar-actuating mechanism will first be described.

In an application for Letters Patent of the United States filed byEdward B. Hess, one of these applicants, on the 26th day of April, 190],Serial No. 57,588, is shown a type-baractuating mechanism or movementhaving the general mode of operation of that herein disclosed and uponwhich the present invcir tion constitutes an improvement.

In the segment or support 1 the type-bars 2 are pivoted as shown orotherwise. They normally lie substantially horizontally toward the frontof the machine and are adapted to strike upon the front face of theplaten. From the heel or projection 3 on each typebar, beyond its pivot,a flexing connection extends forward under the type-bars and is hingedto a fixed point Y. As shown, this connection consists of two links 4 5,united at their adjacent ends and respectively connected at theiropposite ends to the type-bar at 3 and the fixed point Y. The flexingconnection may, however, be embodied in other forms. The hingeconnection between their adjacent ends is in the present constructionformed by hinging the ends of the links 4 5 to another or third link 6,arranged transversely to the links 4 5 and operated upon by the stem 7of a finger-piece 8, mounted to move vertically in bearings in theframe, the link 6 being preferably hinged to the stem or part actuatedby the finger-piece. The flexing connection is so disposed that itspoint of fiexure will lie in or below or beyond a straight lineconnecting the fixed point Y and the point of attachment of the oppositeor rear end of the connection, so that when the connection is flexed, asindicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, its parts respectively in frontand rear of the pointof flexure will be sub jected to tensible strainand the type-bar thrown to the printing-point by a pull.

The operation is clearly disclosed in Fig. 4 and is as follows: The link6, operated by a connecting device actuated on the depression of afinger-piece, flexes the connection and is normally so disposed in theconstruction shown as to incline from the vertical axis of thefinger-piece rearwardly. As the fingerpiece is depressed the swing ofthe front link about the fixed point Y will carry the hinge or point offlexure toward the front of the machine. The link 6 will follow thismovement and will finally pass into a position parallel with thevertical axis of the finger-piece or inclined somewhat toward the frontof the sistance to the touch of the operator at the beginning of thedepression, and the resistance increases somewhat during the downwardexcursion of the finger-piece, there being a correspondingly slowmovement of the type-bar as its inertia is overcome and it commences itsmovement and an increase in its velocity as it approaches theprinting-point. The angular relation of the link changes as theconnection is flexed, and as its lower end moves toward the front thelink swings on the hinge connection of its upper end and follows thefront link in successive stages of the depression substantially orapproximately at right angles thereto. Power exerted in depressing thefingerpiece is therefore efficiently applied to the flexing connection,and

the touch of the finger-piece even in the final stage of its depressionis soft and light.

In an organization such as has been described or one having the mode ofoperation thereof the touch of the key is very light, and there is amarked acceleration of the type-bar in its excursion to theprinting-point.

The adjacent ends of thelinks45are formed like snap-hooks, which engageapertures in the lower part or end of the link 6, the construction beingsuch as shown in the application of Hess before mentioned and at Z inFig. 4.

Of course any appropriate form of hinge, pivot,or swiveling connectionmaybe adopted.

The fixed points Y are at the ends of flat rods or anchor-pieces 9passed through apertures 9 in the'front plate 10 of the frame, Fig. 2,and are secured therein, as shown, clamping-nuts 11 being applied to thethreaded ends of the anchor-pieces on each side of the ends of arms 11of a bracket-plate 11 applied to the front plate of the frame. At therear end of the anchor-piece is a pin or projection constituting thefixed point Y, and adjacent thereto the under face of the bar is cutawayand a plate-spring 12 attached thereto. The rear end of the spring isbifurcated to embrace the link 5 and tends to raise the flexingconnection and seat the type-bar in its back-stop. The aperture 9 in thefront plate, in which the bar is seated, is of such dimensions as topermit of the bar, spring 12, and link 5 being inserted or withdrawn.

The type-bar support 1 is segmental in shape, its radial plane beingvertical in the construction shown, and it constitutes the rear crossbarof a frame having side bars 13 13;pivotally mounted by pivot-screws 1414 near the front of the machine. In front of the type-bar support 1 andcarried by the side bars 13 13 is the back stop or rest 15, upon whichthe heads of the type-bars normally lie. The front edge of the type-barsupport is formed as a comb, and between the teeth or projectionsthereof the type-bars are pivoted by means of a curved wire or rod 16,

Fig. 6, passing through apertures in the type bars and lying in a curvedgroove or slot 16, formed in the upper concave face of the segment. Whenin position, the rod 16 is firmly held and pressed against its seat inthe slot 16 by a clamping-screw 1'7, impinging obliquely upon its side,provided with a nut 18 and working in a threaded seat in ahorizontally-disposed projection 19 at the end of the support 1. Twosuch screws are employed, one on each side of the group of type-bars. Itis only necessary to loosen up the screws 17 to permit of the withdrawalof the rod, and yet when in position it is held accurately in place.

The type-bar support or segment is held in normal position and adjustedin the following manner: Extending bet-ween the sides of the frame andbelow the type-bar supportis a transverse rock shaft 20, upon which thetype-bar segment 1 is supported by two links 21 22, disposed in thecenter-line of the machine and pivotally united at their adjacent ends.The upper end of the link 22 is pivoted to a projection on the type-barsegment, and the lower end of the link 21 is attached to the rock-shaft20, and normally the two links standing in line vertically support thesegment. At the left side of the machine a radial arm 23 extendsupwardly from the rock-shaft 20, and a pin thereon enters an elongatedslot 2a in an endwise-movable bar 25, hinged at its front end in thedownwardlyextending arm of the bell-crank lever 26, pivoted on the sideof the frame, and whose other end extends substantially horizontally andis normally drawn against the stem 27 of the shift-finger key 28 by aspring 29. On depression of the finger-piece the rod 25 is moved endwisetoward the rear of the machine. During the first part of this movementthe pin on the arm 23 travels in the slot 24:, and the arm 23 is notactuated; but when the pin comes against the front wall of the slot thearm 23 is moved rearwardly, the shaft 20 is rocked, and the hingeconnection of the two links or arms 21 22 is carried rearwardly,permitting the descent of the typebar segment until the hinged ends ofthe link 21 22 abut against the adjustable screw boltor stop 30,carrying in its end a plug of felt or leather or other suitablematerial, which, while affording an accurate stop, takes up the shockand jar and diminishes noise. When the shift-key is released, the rod 25moves toward the front of the machine, partly under stress of the spring29 and also under that of a spring 32, applied to the link 21, until thelink abuts against the adjustable front stop 33, which maintains thelinks 21 22 in their normal vertical position. The movable type-barguide 34, disposed below and adjacent to the printing-point on theplaten, is pivotally supported by two pairs of parallel links 35 36,pivotally attached to its sides and arranged normally horizontally. Therear ends of the upper links 35 are piv- IIO I the end of the shift-rod25.

6o readily understood.

oted on a rod 37, extending between posts 38, (shown as mounted on thetop plate of the machine,) While the rear ends of the lower links 36 arefast upon a rock-shaft 39, having 5 bearings in the posts 38 and at theopposite ro ent link 41, slotted longitudinally in its lower portion. Apin in the end of an arm 42, pivoted at 42, runs in this slot. Integralwith the arm 42 is a downwardly-extending arm 43, the lower end of whichis hinged in Normally, as shown by full lines in Fig. 5, the parts 41,42, and 43 and rock-shaft 39 support the guide, the pin being againstthe upper wall of the slot in link 41, and the parallel arms 35 and 36,carrying the type-bar guide, are therefore held normally horizontally tosupport the type-guide in a proper position to guide the type-bars whenthe segment 1 is in its normal position. When the shift-key isdepressed, the endwise-movable rod 25 moves the arm 43 to the rear,allowing the type-bar guide, by reason of the pin-and-siot connectionbetween 41 and 42, to drop until it is arrested by a stop 44, Fig. 2.Following this dropping movement of the type-bar guide the end wall ofthe slot 24 in the rod 25 comes against the pin in the radial arm 23,and the hinge connection of links 21 22 is thrown to the rear, asalready described, permitting the segment to descend correspondingly,the segment and the type-bar guide being then in their second or shiftedposition, when impressions may be taken from the other characters on thetype-bar. On the release of the shift-key it is thrown upwardly by thereaction of the spring 29 and the spring 32, and all the parts are againrestored to normal position. So far as we are aware, the plan ofdropping the type-bar segment and guide when the shift occurs is noveland possesses the following advantage: The lower-case type are nearerthe pivots of their type-bars and the guide, and for that reason thereis less strain, jar, or vibration of parts when printing from them, andas they are used far more frequently than the other type near the endsof the bars wear and tear in this regard is reduced to a minimum. Thepivotal mounting of the type-bar guide makes its movement easy andcertain, and the general arrangement described by which the work ofmoving the type-bar guide and segment is apportioned to different stagesof the depressions of the shift has advantages which will be This latterfeature, however, is shown and claimed in the application of I-Iesshereinbefore mentioned.

The universal bar is shown in the form of a vertically-disposed frame4%, composed of a segmental bottom portion 44 whose ends are connectedby a transverse part 44 placed in rear of the segment 1 and supported bytwo, three, or more links 45, pivotally connected at their upper ends tothe bottom side of the universal bar and at their lower ends to the baseof the machine. At the rear the universal bar has a yoke 46, connectedby a spring 46 with an adjusting screw-bolt 47, disposed in thelongitudinal center of the machine. From the heel or projection 3 ofeach type-bar a link 48 extends rearwardly, being guided in avertically-disposed segmental or comb plate 19 and shaped at its rearend to hook over or otherwise engage the segmental bottom portion of theuniversal bar. As shown at Z in Fig. 4:, the link 48 is bent into hookedform, and the opening of the hook is bridged by a spring to retain thelinks in position on the universal bar. The hook or bent end 50 of eachsuch link normally extends beyond and out of contact with the universalbar and only engages it to draw it forward after the type-bar has made apart of its excursion toward the printing-point,and this for reasonswell understood. As shown in Fig. 2, 51 is the carriage-rack, 52 apinion engaging it, 53 an escapement-wheel on the shaft of the wheel 52,54 an escapement latch or pawl, and 55 its spring. The pawl is pivotedat 56, and hinged to it is a rearwardlyextending rod 58, guided in aslot or aperture in plate 59 and adapted to be struck by the upper partof the universal bar when it is drawn forward on the depression of afingerpiece. The links 43 may be said to be connected with the type-baror with the rear end of the flexing connection. Either way of stating itis mechanically correct. There are therefore connections extending fromthe fixed points Y to the universal bar, and the endwise movement of therear parts of the flexing connections toward the fixed points actuateboth the type-bars and the universal bar. The device that actuates atype-bar transmits by means of a suitable connection a strain in thesame direction to actuate the universal bar, and consequently thereaction of the spring applied to the universal bar may serveeffectively to return the type-bar to its initial position by a pull.There may therefore be but one spring that determines the behavior ofthe universal bar, the touch of the finger-pieces, and the uniform speedof retreat of the type-bars from the platen, and that spring may bereadily adjusted. This feature of the invention may be embodied in otherconstructions of machines than that shown and is not dependent upon theuse of a flexing type-bar connection or other details of constructionillustrated. In the construction shown the light springs 12 are appliedto the links 5 primarily to sustain the flexing connections and preventchattering of the type-bars on their back-stop, the universal-bar springperforming, primarily, the function of accelerating the retreat of thetype-bar from the platen.

In a type-actuating mechanism comprising a part moving about an axis theemployment of a link, such as 6, not only permits the finger-piece orpart operated by it to move in a vertical line, but also applies thepower in a most eiiicient and desirable manner. Thus in the style oftype-bar-actuating mechanism shown the link attached to the fixed pointis the member moving about a fixed axis.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a writing-machine, the combination of apart to be actuated, a flexing actuating connection, comprising linkshinged together at their adjacent ends extending between said part and afixed point and adapted when flexed to actuate said part with a pull, afinger-piece, and a flexible connection between the finger-piece andsaid actuating connection.

2. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection acting substantially as described, extending betweensaid part andafixed point and adapted when flexed to throw the type-barto the printing-point by apull, a finger-piece and a flexible connectionbetween the finger-piece and said actuating connection.

3. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-bar segment,type-bars pivoted therein and normally lying toward the front of themachine, flexing actuating connections, acting substantially asdescribed, extending from and under the type-bars to fixed points at thefront part of the machine, finger-pieces arranged above suchconnections, and flexible connections between the finger-pieces and suchactuating connections.

4. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-bar segment, meansfor shifting the segment, type-bars pivoted therein and normally lyingtoward the front of the machine, flexing actuating connections, actingsubstantially as described, extending from and under the type-bars tofixed points at the front part of the machine, finger-pieces arrangedabove such connections, and flexible connections between thefinger-pieces and such actuating connections.

5. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-bar segment, meansfor shifting the segment downwardly from its normal position, type-barspivoted therein and normally lying toward the front of the machine,flexing actuating connections, acting substantially as described,extending from and under the type-bars to fixed points at the front partof the machine, finger-pieces arranged above such connections, andflexible connections between the finger-pieces and such actuatingconnections.

6. In a writing-machine, the combination of a flexing connectionextending from a movable part to be actuated to a fixed point, a linkhaving its lower end connected to said flexing connection intermediateits ends, and an actuating device to which the upper end of the link isconnected, the operation being substantially as described.

7. In a writing-machine, the combination of a flexing connectionextending from a movable part to be actuated to a fixed point andcomprisinglinks united at their adjacent ends by a hinge-joint, a thirdlink whose lower end is hinged to the flexing connection intermediateits ends and an actuating device to which the upper end of the link isconnected, the operation being substantially as described.

8. In a writing-machine, the combination of a flexing connectionextending from a movable part to be actuated to a fixed point andcomprising two links united at their adjacent ends by a hinge-joint, athird link hinged to the connection at said joint, and an actuatingdevice by which the other end of the link is depressed, the operation ofthe flexing connection being substantially as described.

9. In a writing-machine, the combination of apivoted type-bar, a flexingconnection operatively connected at one end to the typebar and at theother end to a fixed point, a finger-piece a part actuated thereby, alink having its ends respectively flexibly connected to said part and tothe flexing connection intermediate its ends, said part and link extending in substantially a direct upright line between the finger-pieceand flexing connection.

10. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection operatively connected at one end to the typebar andat the other end to a fixed point and comprising links united at theiradjacent ends by a hinge-joint, a finger-piece, a part actuated thereby,a third link having one end flexibly connected to the flexing connectionintermediate its ends and the other end flexibly connected to said part,said part and third link extending in substantially a direct uprightline between the finger-piece and flexing connection.

11. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection operatively connected at one end to the typebar andat the other end to a fixed point and comprising two links united attheir adjacent ends by a hinge-joint, a third link hinged to theconnection at said joint, and an actuating device by which the other endof the link is depressed, the operation of the flexing connection beingsubstantially as described.

12. In a writing-machine, the combination of a platen, a type-barsegment, means for moving the segment relatively to the platen,type-bars pivoted in the segment, and normally lying away from theplaten toward the front of the machine, flexing connections, operatingsubstantially as described, oper atively connected at their rear ends tothe type-bars and at their front ends to fixed points, links hinged tosuch connections intermediate their ends and arranged transversely tothe general line or direction of such connections, and actuating devicesto which the other ends of the links are connected.

13. In a writing-machine the combination IIO of a platen, a type-barsegment, means for moving the segment relatively to the platen,type-bars pivoted in the segment and normally lying away from the platentoward the front of the machine, flexing connections, operatingsubstantially as described,operatively connected at their rear ends tothe type-bars and at their front ends to fixed points, and consisting oftwo links united at their adjacent ends by a hinge-joint, a third set oflinks hinged to such connections at said hingejoints, and actuatingdevices to which the other ends of the last-named links are connected.

II. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection, acting substantially as described, operativelyconnected at one end to the type-bar and at the other end to a fixedpoint, a link hinged thereto intermediate its ends and arrangedtransversely to the general line or direction of such connection, avertically-movable finger-piece, and its stem to which the link is alsohinged.

15. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection acting substantially as described, operativelyconnected at its rear end to the type-bar and at its front end to afixed point and consisting of links united at their adjacent ends by ahinge-joint, and the link hinged to such connection at such hinge-joint,a verticallymovable finger-piece, and its stem to which said last-namedlink is also hinged.

16. In a writing-machine, the combination of pivoted type-bars,horizontally-disposed anchor-pieces mounted in the front plate of theframe, flexing connections operatively connected at their rear ends tothe type-bars and at their front ends to said anchor-pieces,finger-pieces and the connections between the finger-pieces and flexingconnections applied to the latter intermediate their ends.

17. In a writing-machine, the combination of pivoted type-bars,horizontally-disposed endwise-adjustable anchor-pieces mounted inapertures in the front plate of the frame so as to be inserted andremoved, flexing connections operatively connected at their rear ends tothe type-bars and at their front ends to said anchor-pieces,finger-pieces and the connections between the finger-pieces and flexingconnections applied to the latter intermediate their ends.

18. In a writing-machine, the combination of pivoted type-bars,horizontally-disposed anchor-pieces mounted in the front plate of theframe, flexing connections operatively connected at their rear ends withthe typebars and at their front ends to said anchorpieces,finger-pieces, connections applied to the latter intermediate their endsbetween the finger-pieces and flexing connections, and springs mountedon said anchor-pieces acting upon the flexing connection.

a series of type-bars, a wire seated in said slot upon which thetype-bars are pivoted, and means located at both ends of the series oftype-bars acting obliquely upon the wire to force it against the bottomof the curved slot.

21. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-bar segment, acurved slot therein, aseries of type-bars, a wire seated in said slotupon which the type-bars are pivoted, and screws mounted in the segmentat both ends of the series and impinging obliquely upon the side of thewire to exert an endwise thrust toward the central part thereof to forcethe wire against its seat in the slot.

22. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-barsegment,type-bars pivoted therein, a universal bar movable to and fro inrear of the segment, means for operating the typebars and connectionsbetween the type-bars and universal bar by which the latter is ,actuatedby a pull.

23. In a writingmachine, the combination of pivoted type-bars, auniversal bar, a series of fixed pieces, two links for each type-barhinged together at their adjacent ends and connected respectively to afixed piece and type-bar, a third link loosely connected with theuniversal bar and connected with the link connected with the type-bar,and means for flexing the hinge-joint of the first-named links toactuate the type-bar.

24:. In a writing-machine, the combination of pivoted type-bars normallylying toward the front of the machine, a universal bar arranged in rearof the type-bar pivots, links connecting the universal bar with thetypebars, connections for actuating the type-bars extending under themtoward the front of the machine, finger-pieces and means for operatingsuch connections on the depression of corresponding finger pieces,whereby the type-bars and universal bar are actuated.

25. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-barsegment,type-bars pivoted therein, finger-pieces arranged on one side ofthe segment, a universal bar on the other side, flexingtype-bar-actuating connections means applied intermediate their ends forat will flexing them, and connections between the respective type barsand the universal bar which actuate the universal bar by a pull when thetype-bars are thrown to the printing-point.

26. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-barsegment,type-bars pivoted therein, and normally lying toward the frontof the machine, means for actuating the typebars, a universal bar inrear of the segment, and loose link connections between the typebars anduniversal bar.

27. In aWriting-machine, the combination of a type-bar segment,type-barspivoted therein, a universal bar, connections extending from fixedpoints on the frame to the typebars and thence to the universal bar, andmeans for flexing said connections intermediate the type-bars and fixedpoints.

28. The combination of a platen, a vertically-movable segmental type-barsupport mounted below the platen, means for operatin g the type-bars,avertically-movable typebar guide adjacent to the platen and mountedindependently of the type-bar support, a shift-key, operativeconnections between the shift-key and the type-bar guide, whereby duringthe initial depression of the shift-key the type-bar guide is lowered,and operative connections between the vertically-movable type-barsupport and the shift-key whereby said support is lowered during thelater stage of movement of depression of the shift-key. 29. Thecombination of a platen, a vertically-movable type-bar support,type-bars pivotally mounted therein, means for actuating the type-bars,avertically-movable typebar guide located adjacent to the platen, ashift-key and operative connections between the shift-key and thetype-bar guide, and operative connections between the shift-key and thetype-bar support, whereby the typebar guide is lowered before thedepression of the shift-key is completed and the type-bar support islowered on the completion of the movement of. the shift-key.

30. The combination of "a platen, a vertically-movable'type-bar support,type-bars pivotally mounted therein, means for operatin g the type-bars,a vertically-movable typebar guide adjacent to the platen, the shiftkey,and means interposed between the typebar support and guide whereby onthe depression of the shift-key one of said parts is lowered during theearlier stage of depression of the shift-key and the other said part .islowered during the later stage of depression of said key.

31. The combination of a platen, avertically-movable type-bar support, averticallymovable type-bar guide, a shift-key, and means actuated by theshift-key to move one of said vertically-movable parts to its lowerposition during part of the depression of the shift-key, and the othersaid part to its lower position during the remainder of the depressionof the shift-key.

32. The combination of a movable type-bar support, type bars mountedtherein and means for actuating them, a movable pivoted type-bar guide,a shift-key and devices operated by the shift-key to move the, guideduring one part of the excursion of the key and the support during theother part of the excursion of the key.

33. The combination of a movable type-bar support, a pivoted type-barguide adapted to occupy two positions, a single shift-key and meansactuated by said key for first moving means for actuating them, amovable typebar guide, pivoted in parallel link-supports, a shift-keyand devices operated by the shiftkey to move the guide during one partof the excursion of the key and the support during the other part of theexcursion of the key.

35. The combination of a movable type-bar support, a type-bar guide,pivoted in parallel link-supports adapted to occupy two positions, asingle shift-key and means actuated by said key for first moving one ofsaid parts and then the other, type-bars mounted in said support andmeans for actuating them.

36. In a writing-machine, the combination of a platen, a pivotedtype-bar, a universal bar, its spring, and means for actuating thetype-bar and universal bar bya direct strain in the same line, wherebythe reaction of the universal-bar spring is directly applied to thetype-bar to accelerate its retreat from the printing-point.

37. In a front-stroke machine, the combination of a platen, a series ofpivoted typebars, a series of horizontally-disposed end- Wise-movablelinks or members connected to and actuating the ty'pe-bars,'a universalbar, its spring, and a series of links or members connecting thetype-bars and universal bar.

38. In a writing-machine, the combination with a platen, a series ofpivoted type-bars and means for actuating them, of a universal bar, itsspring, and connections between the universal bar and type-bars wherebywhen a type-bar is thrown to the printing-point the universal bar isactuated against the'tension of its spring and the reaction of saidspring is applied primarily to accelerate the retreat of the type-barfrom the platen.

39. In a writing-machine, the combination with a platen, a series ofpivoted type-bars and means for actuating them, of a universal bar, itsspring, and link connections between the universal bar and type-barswhereby when a type-bar is thrown to the printing point the universalbar is actuated against the tension of its spring and the reaction ofsaid spring is applied primarily to accelerate the retreat of thetype-bar from the platen.

40. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, itsactuating mechanism that throws the type-bar to the printing point by apull, comprising a member moving about a fixed axis, a finger-piecemovable in a true vertical line and located above said member, a partmovable up and down with the finger-piece, and a link having its endsrespectively flexibly connected with said part and member.

41. In a writing-machine, the combination of a pivoted type-bar, aflexing connection attached at its rear end to the type-bar and at itsfront end to a fixed point, an actuatinglink flexibly applied to suchconnection intermediate its ends and arranged transversely to the frontpart thereof, and means for moving' the link endwise to flex saidconnection

